Laurence runs a private company specialising in the use of information and communication technologies in education. Since 1997 he has provided consulting and project management services to the Ministry of Education and other government and private sector organisations. Prior to that he worked in a business development role at Telecom New Zealand, where he supported education institutions and businesses that were interested in exploring the effective use of digital technologies.
Laurence was a trustee of the 2020 Communications Trust from 1997 until 2009, including chair from 1998 – 2000. From 2009 he contracted to the Trust in various roles including Contracts Director and Operations & Development Manager. From August 2018 until October 2019, he led the establishment of the Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa, as its Establishment Chair and was elected as a trustee in October 2019.
In 2011, Laurence was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to information technology, notably digital literacy programmes.
Sue worked with the 2020 Communications Trust for 9 years, initially as the Computers in Homes Regional Coordinator for Northland and then as Stepping UP Programme Manager.
In August 2018, she transferred to the Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa, continuing in her role as national programme manager for Stepping UP.
Sue has a background in computer training, working for a PTE for five years before going into business for herself as a one-on-one computer trainer contracting to several different organisations.
Shelley had the great fortune to be a member of the Telecom Education Foundation in the 1990’s, beginning a journey that combined the delivery of technology into the education sector. In 2019, Shelley joined the Digital Inclusion Alliance in the role of Operations Research Support. In this exciting position she facilitates research programmes and operations support for DIAA’s extensive suite of digital initiatives.
Particularly rewarding initiatives so far include:
· Facilitation of research focus groups for partner Victoria University, which resulted in the published paper “Digital Inclusion Among Seniors” (2020)
· Logistical implementation of DIAA programmes, in particular the Digital Licence to 300 families
· Management of a team of volunteers delivering digital clinics into social housing
· Research and delivery of the low cost broadband product Skinny Jump
The DIAA team works with over 300 partners to reduce digital exclusion in NZ. Shelley is delighted to be able to play a role in this.
Leilani is the Digital Ambassador and Skinny Jump Coordinator for South Auckland, a Skinny Jump Navigator, the Ciena Coordinator and trainer, and a Better Digital Futures trainer. She joined the Digital Inclusion Alliance from Auckland Libraries in 2020.
Leilani finds that the most rewarding aspects of delivering Stepping UP programmes are enabling and empowering seniors to access digital content and learning, encouraging them to try and to learn something new, and the “wow” and reactions of the seniors once they have learnt something new. She also enjoys promoting Skinny Jump to local communities and local groups.
Alistair has been working in a wide variety of roles within the Digital Inclusion sector in Aotearoa for over 20 years. He is passionate about helping to achieve higher levels of digital literacy, affordable internet access and equitable opportunities for everyone. He wants to see the utmost priority given to the provision of appropriate digital content to motivate and empower people in underserved communities and with which they can use with trust and confidence. Alistair believes these are the most powerful imperatives we can take to enable our survival and prosperity into the future.
Alistair feels hugely proud and privileged to work for the Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa as a self-employed contractor. His current roles are support administrator, spreadsheet designer, Appy Seniors evaluator, Whanganui Stepping UP/Skinny Jump Ambassador and as a driver for DORA, the Digital On-Road Access training vehicle.
Eleanor manages the Stepping UP and DIAA websites and other online systems, and performs various operations support and administration tasks.
Eleanor previously worked as a software tester at web development agencies, and helped administer the ICDL digital skills qualification at the 20/20 Trust.
Being part of the first Aotearoa New Zealand generation to grow up using computers and the internet at home, she wants everyone to have the opportunities she had. Eleanor enjoys sharing her knowledge with others and using it to support DIAA programmes’ delivery. What she finds most inspiring is seeing people who are new to the digital world or want to improve their skills give it a go and build their confidence.
Barbara Craig is currently an Adjunct Research Associate in the Faculty of Education, Victoria University. Prior to this appointment she was a lecturer in ICT and Education and in Research Methods at VUW and in the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Ongoing research activities include monitoring and evaluating using online surveys and face-to-face interviews the 20/20 Trust Computers in Homes and Stepping UP projects.
Barbara authored a scoping study of NZ digital inclusion research in 2014 for InternetNZ and has since participated each year in InternetNZ’s annual research forum. Barbara has also attended and presented at InternetNZ’ s Nethui conferences over the years.
Barbara served in a governance role in a number of non-profit organisations, as a 20/20 Trustee from 1997 to 2015, a current Trustee of the Cathy Pelly Memorial Trust, secretary of SERAC skiclub and the Wellington Quilters Guild Committee.
She is an active member of the Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN), an international network of academics and practitioners who are active in digital inclusion work. Barbara regularly presents NZ-based research at their annual meetings and through online discussion lists.
Barbara was a member of the DIAA Establishment Board from July 2018 until October 2019, when she was elected as Chair.
Victoria is a passionate public servant who aims to help turn any barriers of emerging technology, into opportunities for New Zealanders. She gained a double degree in Law and Neuroscience from the University of Otago, where she looked at the societal and ethical implications of this rapidly changing landscape.
Victoria was selected for the GovTech Talent Graduate programme led by the Government Chief Digital Officer, where multi-disciplinary graduates rotate through three government agencies, focusing on the digital future of Aotearoa. She started at the Department of Internal Affairs in 2018 and primarily contributed to the Digital Inclusion Blueprint, engaging with the affected public, non-profits, private and public sector stakeholders. This engagement highlighted the inequality and compounded barriers that digital services often exacerbate.
She has since worked at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Ministry for Primary Industries. She will continue to advocate for a more open government that is transparent, innovative and collaborative. She also believes a human-centred approach is important, to enable those affected by services to contribute to the design process.
Jennifer joined the School of Information Management at Victoria University of Wellington in 2014. She holds a Master of Library Science degree from Indiana University (1995) and a Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences from the University of Hawai’i (2008).
Jennifer’s main area of research is the management and evaluation of library services, especially those services involving organisational change.
Jennifer was elected as a trustee of DIAA in October 2019.
Allan started in radio, electronics and IT technology service delivery; operated his own IT businesses from the mid 1980’s to 2000’s. He provided and managed training services, software development, network design and build, and technical support services. During this time he was an enthusiastic early internet adopter and innovator. Allan has consulted on network infrastructure, support services and consults to government and private organisations.
In the last decade Allan has been involved in academic pursuits and provides teaching and research on the impact of technology on people and organisations as a faculty member at Victoria University of Wellington.
He has a track record of supporting and being involved in communities of practice in education, has been a school board trustee and carries out research on digital divides and literacy working with marginalised communities.
Allan was appointed to the DIAA Establishment Board in July 2018 and elected as a Trustee in October 2019.
Celeste has been working in libraries for the last 12 years and most recently completed a Master in Information Science at Victoria University of Wellington. She has worked in both public libraries and most recently in tertiary libraries. Celeste has a keen interest in rangahau/research and in removing barriers to access to information.
Celeste was appointed as a trustee at the 2020 Annual General Meeting, held on 3 November.
Sebastian came to New Zealand as a Columbian refugee. He completed a Digital Inclusion Program for refugees that celebrates the completion by giving their students a free computer. This was a turning point and he went on to complete a Bachelor in Hospitality Management and an Executive Masters in Business Administration. During his academic journey Sebastian developed a passion for bringing people together, “helping communities build bridges of exchange and meaningful connections.”
After a career in marketing, Sebastian joined Wellington Council’s City Housing Business Unit, dedicated to the ongoing welfare of vulnerable and low-income tenants, including refugees and other minorities. Now Sebastian gives others in need a helping hand to find their home and place in the city. He says “I am passionate about giving a chance to people who need it. Those who, like me, have been disadvantaged in one way or another.”
Saima has a diverse background in library and information sciences, having worked with school and media libraries, special libraries, university libraries, and the National Digital Library from 2005 to 2018 in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. She taught Library and Information Studies in Pakistan from 2006 to 2011 and Information Literacy in Saudi Arabia from 2012 to 2018. Additionally, she has experience as a trainer for school and university librarians.
Saima holds a Master’s in Library and Information Science, an M.Phil in Library and Information Studies from Pakistan, and a Ph.D. in Information Systems from the University of Auckland. Currently, she works as a Lecturer of Information Systems at the Business School, University of Auckland. She teaches Digital Transformation Strategy, Business Consulting, Business Insights, and the Future of Work.
Saima focuses on two research areas: the behavioural aspects of digital transformation in
organizations and inclusion/exclusion in the digital society. Her interest in digital citizenship has led to various collaborative projects on digital upskilling for senior citizens, immigrants and refugees, displaced workers, women, and adults. As a mother of a pre-teen, she is also exploring the challenges of parenting in the digital age.
Saima was elected as a trustee of DIAA in March 2024.
Lis is currently the Customer Service Manager/Librarian at Picton Library and Service Centre – Waitohi Whare Mātaunga. Lis has been with Marlborough District Libraries since September 2020 after moving from South Taranaki where she was a librarian at Eltham/Kaponga Library.
Lis has worked in libraries since 2006 when she was hired as Summer Reading Co-ordinator at Featherston Public Library. She has also worked in school libraries – Masterton Intermediate and Hutt international Boys’ School. Lis holds a BA in Information and Library Services from Open Polytechnic, is an associate with LIANZA, and has worked as a regional councillor on LIANZA (2016-2018).
As a public librarian, she sees a high need in the community for low-cost internet service, Skinny Jump, and digital support services. Lis heads the Picton Library’s Digital-Drop in and Stepping UP classes and encourages everyone to join. Lis knows that libraries are the heart of their community and she works to ensure this daily.